I just got my first corvette, a 1979 C3 about 2 months ago, and unfortunately I don't have a garage to store it in, I only have a car cover.
Since it has kind of a lack-luster paint job on it, the paint has bubbled just a tiny bit on the fenders, however despite the size, it is still kinda noticeable when you get close to the car.

Would anyone kindly recommend some good paint job shops that would service my corvette and actually do a good job? I would rather not take it to any old place and have them paint the car, only to do another lack-luster job.
Help would be greatly appreciated.

 

I know a honest shop in Hawaii..
Where are you located?
What's your budget for paint job?
Whats your expectations for good paint job.?
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Search the threads on this site for a good idea of what you should be expecting

 

I'm in North Carolina

 

I'm thinking the guy I used last might be a bit far for you to go.
look for the shop that has a whole bunch of 60's and early 70's car's in various states of repair.
A shop that turns out insurance work on newer cars isn't the place.
You need to ask around locally. A Corvette club or car club can be a good place to ask.

 

FYI.....I took my hardtop to a Maaco? They were fast but the paint job literally sucked.
So...I took my hood to a small paint shop near me. The guy did such a great job I let him paint the car.

 

Ok,,, My contact in Ohio would be closer than Hawaii for you. You'll have no complaints from this shop.
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How far are you willing to travel for a "good job"?

 

Your best bet may be to contact some local car clubs, especially Corvette car clubs and ask for recommendations. Consider attending a local NCRS chapter meeting and ask for recommendations as well. Jerry

 

North Carolina's a big state, you might want to narrow it down some.

Rik's Corvette was over off of 40 west of Winston-Salem. I don't know if he's still open, and I think he only sold parts, but he'd been selling Corvette parts in NC for 35 or 40 years, so if you can reach him I'm sure he could recommend someone.

I don't have any personal experience with them, but I've been by Quarter Mile Muscle in Mooresville and from what I saw there they do high quality work.

You might want to ask in the Southeast Region Section of the Forum. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/southeast-42/

Two things you should be aware of. First, if you're looking for a quality, professional full paint job you could end up paying $10,000-$20,000 these days. Obviously if you'll only looking to get the paint blended in the damaged areas it will be less, but how much less depends on how much area it covers. Second, storing a Corvette, or any car outside under a cover will often damage the paint, even with covers that are claimed to "breath". With changes in temperature, humidity, sun light, etc, moisture will build up and get trapped under the cover causing the bubbling you experienced and other damage.

 

I wouldn’t let Maaco paint my ex-wife’s Yugo!

 

Gunner, i'm surprised ...................what did you expect ? I can paint a car better with a ROLLER or a BRUSH, with my eyes closed !!!

 

Just FYI anyone looking into a paint shop for either collision repair or resto work and if you go into the shop and there is there is an inch of sanding dust on the cars run don't walk away.

 

First, decide what you want for a paint job.
Are you building a driver an NCRS award winner, or a custom restomod.
Make sure you tell the painter what your goals are because it can make a huge difference in quality and cost.
Agree with the painter on what your budget is and let them know that’s all you have to spend.
With minimum body work expect a decent paint job to cost, $15,000 to $25,000.
If you want every inch of the body perfect and a show quality finish, you could spend $30,000 to easily over $60,000.
Ask the painter about his experience repairing or restoring Corvettes.
They are totally different than any other car and just anyone can’t repair them properly.
Be prepared to pay double your estimated total cost, because once the current paint has been removed, any and all imperfections will then be found.

 

GBvette made a very valid point. Although, I didn't spend much on my paint job (it was 19 years ago) the car has to sit outside under a car cover. You need to keep it waxed and without fail, uncover it and let it air out after every rain. And you're lucky if your cover lasts more than one or two years. I don't know what your car is worth, but in my opinion, I wouldn't spend more than 25% of the car's value on paint. If your car's a driver (like mine), I would remove every piece not to be painted, prep and prime it myself, and wouldn't hesitate taking it to Maaco, and would specify a single stage acrylic enamel. Or there's always the Rustoleum option.

 

I wouldn't let Maaco touch any car, let alone a vette !! "MAACO" & "CORVETTE" do NOT belong in the same sentence. Let Maaco touch your Corvette & you will be sorry !!

 

We all know you get what you pay for. and I don't know what Maaco charges these days, I'd guess around a grand. A five thousand dollar car doesn't need a ten grand paint job, But what's a nice '79 driver worth these days? A car that has to be parked outside is subject to its share of scratches and abrasions so it's wise not to invest too much. Maaco's biggest fault is their poor prep work. A relatively inexpensive paint job won't be show quality, but will look good from ten feet and get compliments from Joe and jane Blow.

 

When Jane "BLOWS" Joe, what you get is a big mess !!
Maaco will paint over everything & anything you don't remove or tape up yourself. As stated above not only is their paintwork cheap & sloppy their prep work is even worse !!! $ave your money................

 

I had a macco job on my last corvette which actually came out decent but there wasnt any body work. Yes there was a lot of overspray inside area like wheel wells and the engine compartment I had to clean up myself with acetone or paint over with flat black but the paint itself was Sherwin Williams and held up well for a single stage
With my c3 everybody want a lot for the corvette tax so I was getting quotes for 10-15 grand , 7 grand just to spray it! I paid less than 3 grand for the car so.. So I watched a lot of you tube videos and did it myself first stripping the car of paint with a razor blade then 3 types of primer and base coat then clear. The whole job including the vette panel adhesive for body repair and filling the cracks along with a used compressor and harbor freight pain gun was under a grand. It did take weeks of body work but..

 

I know it's hard to see detail in these little photos.
But that looks good Augie!
I absolutely suck at paint. If I did that ............
Well, I just wouldn't.